Shelter pet program featured at upcoming Garden State Cat Show

Meet Papita, an adoptable cat at Tabby's Place, a rescue participating at the 2014 Garden State Cat Show.

Tabby's Place

Are you looking for a new feline friend? Let your journey take you to the 2014 Garden State Cat Show. The event has dedicated 7,500 sq. ft. to the Adopt-A-CAT shelter program. The event is scheduled for April 19-20 at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, New Jersey.

Cats are among the most popular pets in the United States, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The AVMA reports that there are approximately 74.1 million pet cats in the U.S., outnumbering pet dogs by more than four million. Local shelters need help finding homes for the many abandoned and rescued cats. According to the Garden State Cat Club’s recent press release, at least 100 adoptable cats will be featured at the event.

To be considered for cat adoption, prospective adopters must submit an application. The adoption process varies from shelter to shelter, but to discourage “impulse adoptions,” most cats viewed at the event will be delivered at a later date, once the application review process is complete.

In addition, a highlight of the Adopt-A-CAT program will be a “Shelter Stars” competition in which the shelter cats compete for rosettes like their pedigreed counterparts. Rosettes will be awarded in categories such as Longest Tail and Biggest Couch Potato. At the awards presentation, the public will hear the rescue story of each winner and learn about the activities of the rescue group caring for the cat. The culmination of the presentation is the People’s Choice award where a rosette is awarded to the kitty receiving the most ballots from the visitors to the show.

Ambassador cats will be available for petting throughout the show. Just look for the “Pet Me” signs.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children under 12. Children in strollers are admitted free of charge. There is a family rate of $25. Find a coupon on the club’s website for discounts which include up to four people and a maximum of two adults. Event hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

The event is organized by the Garden State Cat Club (GSCC), the third oldest cat club affiliated with the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA). The GSCC of New Jersey is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the welfare of all cats. Your donation is tax-deductible as defined by IRS. Learn more on the club’s website. Those interested in membership can also visit the membership page.

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Susan Stokes built her career in the publishing and trade show industries. As a freelance writer, her focus is primarily on pets and animal welfare issues. She is a volunteer for SAVE, A Friend to Homeless Animals. You can read her blog at www.GeminiUniversal.com/blog and write to her at info@GeminiUniversal.com.